Leviticus 8:23

Authorized King James Version

And he slew it; and Moses took of the blood of it, and put it upon the tip of Aaron's right ear, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּשְׁחָ֓ט׀
And he slew
to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre)
#2
וַיִּקַּ֤ח
took
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#3
מֹשֶׁה֙
it and Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#4
מִדָּמ֔וֹ
of the blood
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
#5
וַיִּתֵּ֛ן
of it and put
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#6
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#7
תְּנ֥וּךְ
it upon the tip
a pinnacle, i.e., extremity
#8
אֹֽזֶן
ear
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
#9
אַהֲרֹ֖ן
of Aaron's
aharon, the brother of moses
#10
הַיְמָנִֽית׃
of his right
right (i.e., at the right hand)
#11
וְעַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#12
בֹּ֥הֶן
and upon the great toe
the thumb of the hand or great toe of the foot
#13
יָדוֹ֙
hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#14
הַיְמָנִֽית׃
of his right
right (i.e., at the right hand)
#15
וְעַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#16
בֹּ֥הֶן
and upon the great toe
the thumb of the hand or great toe of the foot
#17
רַגְל֖וֹ
foot
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
#18
הַיְמָנִֽית׃
of his right
right (i.e., at the right hand)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Leviticus. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Leviticus Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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